The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-10-27

"IOu bel! he replied, emphatically,
and thought he drew her closer as
he spoke. Il didn't mean You;
meant some one like Miss Emery"
If your father would quit drinking
that dreadful stuff he would be good
10 you then and SO would your
mother"
Father will never stop drinking"
said Billy. hopelessly. Hes drunk
all the time; he flogs mo when l don't
sell all my papers and give him the
money; mothers almost crazy, and
Benny's dying. l believe; he's awful
sick and never has enough 10 eat
and-and' 4 great sob told that
Billy's cup Of sorrow was full and run
ming over
poor Bsnnyr' sighed Katie. SYM
pathizingiy. But don't cry, Billy;
Miss Emery says its always darkest
just before the dawn. May be Benz
ny'll get well. hope he will; and
perhaps your father won't hurt you
tonight" !"
"Yes. he WILL" sobbed Billy. HE
means to pound the life out of me
some of these nights, ! know he
does!'
The couple now stopped before the
door Of large tenement house. and !
succeeded in getting into neighbor-
ing doorway unobscrved. They talked
on for short time. Billy was de-
spondcnt Katie hopeful With skill
and judgment belonging toripcr years
Katie applied Miss Emery's teachings
as balm to Billy's wounded spirit.
Il can pray, Billy" she said at last.
miss Emery taught mo how. She
told me to ask God to bless our enemies
rs well rs our friends. She says If !
ask for what is right and best my pray
er will certainly be answered.. Don't
you believe IT? do. I'm going to pray
for Benny tonight. lido hope he will
get well. And | am going to ask God
to make your father sober and good
again. 'Taint right for him to take
your money and spend it while you
and the rest Of you starvc. Now, good
night, Billy"
The scene that followed was too sa-
cred TO be witnessed by any but the
angels. Twill not attempt to describe
it. But when Katie disappeared in the
dark hallv ay she was in possession Of
Billy's two unsoll papers. and Billy
went away with heavier pocket but
lighter heart, for thus did he secure
for this timo immunity from his
drunken fathers cruel rod.
Billy t.udged on through the snow.
turning ono corner then another. He
had not gone far. however,. .when a
tall woman, without bonnet or cloak.
and very thinly clad. suddenly rushed
from somewhere.
"Oh, Bil'y!' she cried, "run for the
doctor, quick; Benny's diving. Find
father and send him homc!"
Billy darted of without word. The
woman ran up narrow alley. leaping
over drifts. almost flying over the
snow, and forcing me to my utmost
speed to keep her in sight The alley
extended through several blocks She
stopped for an instant only before a
small house, then disappeared from
view.
| When arrived at the spot l was
startled by an agonizing shriek-a
prolonged lamentation burlcncd with
grief and despair. Then all was still.
The half-curtained window at the end
Of the house afforded view Of the in
terror It was just such wretchcd
place rs one expects to find where
poverty and drink combine to deal out
misery TO men.
| But what scene met my inquiring
gaze! Across little cot lay the in-
animate form of the woman. and the
light shone full upon the cause Of her
grief-the marble facc of tho dead
babe pillowed upon her arm. On the
floor in 4 corner. braced against the
wall, sat the intoxicated head Of the
household. aroused into semicon-
sciousness by his wife's outcry. star.
ing idiotically about him, As il endeav-
oring to find out where he was and
what it all meant.
Presently the woman moved. rose
slowly. kissed the cold lips. then laid
the lifeless heal gently upon the
pillow. For a moment she stood gaz.
ing upon her dead child, then she
touched tho white face and tendcrly
adjusted the light covering.
| Now she discovered the figure in the
corner. Its presence was evidently
unexpected. She instantly drew her.
self up to full height while an nn-
natural light cleaned in her dark eyes.
She stretched her hand toward the
still wondering imbecile and almost
shrieked:
''Bill Benson, come here and see your
work.
! A ray of intelligence suddenly lit nr
the bloated face. He heard the voice
of the woman he had cruelty deceived
and shamefully abused-the woman
who had cringel before him for years,
who had borne his brutality without
rescntment-but how changed!
The old lecr fingered for an instant
over his visage. but only for an in
slant.
'Bill Benson, do you hear me? Come
and see! See!! See!!!"
The words were positively Missed.
She waved her outstretched arm in the
direction of the deathbed of her child,
while the now thoroughly sobcred hus.
band and father. following the move.
ment, staggered to the opposite side OF
the cot.
"Behold your work! He's dead
dcad!! Do You understand 70,
killed him-killed- xii led him!'
The frenzied woman paused mo-
ment, while tho man covered before
her righteous wrath like whipped
cur.
bill Benson" she went on, '.fo,